The XV is based on the same platform that underpins the Subaru Impreza, so it's not surprising that the crossover resembles the hatchback in style and dimension.
Under the hood, the 2.0-liter Boxer engine is augmented by an electric motor. Subaru's hybrid system makes use of two lead acid batteries under its hood.
The CVT doesn't use gears, but the driver can drop into a "Manual" shifting mode and select from six virtual ratios using the steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters.
At the top of the dashboard is a multifunction information display (MID) that puts a variety of information about the fuel efficiency and hybrid state near the driver's field of view.
One of the most interesting screens is the Fuel Savings display, which shows how much time the hybrid system has spent in fully electric operation and how much fuel it has saved. These numbers include time spent with anti-idling Start-Stop function activated.
The Subaru's interior is functional and simple without feeling cheaply made. I'm reminded of the level of fit and finish on the Volkswagen Tiguan or Golf.
The only driver aid tech is a standard rear camera that displays its feed on the MID screen when reversing. It doesn't have blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, or adaptive cruise control.
The Hybrid's cabin is quiet thanks to decent amounts of insulation, the available electric assist, and the CVT's tendency to keep the engine speed low independent of the vehicle's road speed.
The Toyota Prius V and Ford C-Max each boast about 40 mpg combined estimates, but neither of these wagons features all-wheel drive nor can they match the Subaru's 8.7 inches of ground clearance.
The XV keeps things simple. No HID headlamps and no LED daytime running lights. So the additional complexity of the hybrid power train is odd, especially considering the moderate (3-4 mpg) fuel economy gains.
Perhaps the strongest competitor to the XV Crosstrek Hybrid is the non-hybrid variant, which features similar power, similar efficiency, and a hair more cargo room, and is significantly cheaper.
